1. A new Courtyard by Marriott opens this afternoon, March 20, at 23930 Hwy. 290, Cypress, near the Barker Cypress Road intersection. The hotel offers 96 rooms and six suites, and amenities include free high-speed internet, a swimming pool, fitness center, and meeting and event space. 281-758-8995.
2. Austin Bleess, the new Jersey Village city manager, officially starts his tenure with the city today, March 20. Bleess comes to Jersey Village from Maine, where he served as city manager for the city of Caribou for four years. Residents have the chance to meet Bleess at a meet-and-greet event organized by the city tonight from 6-7 p.m. at the Civic Center, 16327 Lakeview Drive, Houston. The meet-and-greet takes place before the regularly scheduled March city council meeting.
3. The Cy-Fair Houston Chamber of Commerce's monthly luncheon takes place tomorrow, March. 21, at the Berry Center, 8877 Barker Cypress Road, Cypress, from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Karen Sharp, senior consultant with the Lone Star College System Small Business Development Center, will give a presentation on services offered by the SBDC and local success stories. Reservations are closed, but walk-ins are available on a first-come first-served basis for $35. 281-373-1390. www.cyfairchamber.com
4. Harris County Commissioners recently voted to recommend a study of technology that could prevent future flooding by redirecting stormwater to underground aquifers in Precinct 4. An initial $150,000-$175,000 investment for the study would be split between the county and the Harris County Flood Control District, officials said. If the project is determined to be feasible it could be used countywide and at the state and national levels.